A history of California and an extended history of its southern coast counties, also containing biographies of well-known citizens of the past and present, Volume II, Part 120

Author: Guinn, James Miller, 1834-1918
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Los Angeles, Cal., Historic record company
Number of Pages: 1234

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Angeles. Fraternally Mr. Austin is an Odd Fellow, and politically he is a Democrat of the Jeffersonian type. With his wife he is a mem- ber of the Church of Christ, in which he is serving as elder, and both exemplify in their daily living the principles of the religion which they profess.

J. ROSS MALKIM. At first glance the name Malkim does not suggest the good old Scotch cognomen of Malcolm, but such was the spelling of the patronymic down to the time of the great-grandfather of our subject. For some reason not known to the writer the grandfather changed the spelling to its present form, and succeeding generations have adhered to the re- formed usage. For many years the name was well known in Oakland county, Mich., which was the birthplace of the father, Crawford Malkim, and also of the mother, Susan Case. For many years the Case family was identified with the east, the immigrating ancestor coming from Ger- many and settling in New York state, and Grandfather Case was the first to represent the family in the west. He came to Los Angeles in 1887 and from then until his death was engaged in the real estate business in that city. Crawford Malkim also engaged in the same business in Los Angeles until his death.

The only child born to his parents, J. Ross Malkim is a native of Michigan, born near Pon- tiac, Oakland county, March 28, 1879. He was about eight years old at the time his parents came to California and settled in Los Angeles, and as he was then of school age entered at once upon his studies in that city. He remained at home until reaching his eighteenth year, having by this time determined to learn the trade of elec- trician and stage mechanism. It was for this purpose that he went to San Francisco in 1898, and as soon as he was competent he was made theatrical property man and electrician at Fish- er's theatre in that city. The destruction of San Francisco by earthquake and fire on the morning of April 18, 1906, razed the Fisher theatre among hundreds of other buildings, and thus Mr. Mal- kim was thrown out of employment. In less than a month, May Io, he was located in Long Beach as proprietor of the Tally-Ho livery stable at No. 337 East Fourth street, having purchased the business from L. H. Moore. The stable, which has a frontage of sixty feet and a depth of one hundred and fifty feet, furnishes accommo- dation for boarding horses as well as the animals kept for hire. Feed of all kinds is also kept for sale, and all in all Mr. Malkim has one of the largest and best-patronized livery stables in Long Beach.

In Salinas, Monterey county, Cal., Mr. Mal-

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kim was married to Miss Grace Munro, who was born in Hartford, Conn., the daughter of Wal- lace Munro. The latter was a native of Inver- ness, Scotland, while his wife, Catherine Thomp- son, was born in Glasgow, their marriage occur- ring in the latter city. Upon immigrating to the United States Mr. Munro settled in Connecticut, whence after some years he went to Chicago, Ill., where for a time he worked as an electrician. During the year 1893 he came to California and settled in San Francisco, from which city he trav- eled as salesman for a time, but at the close of the season of 1905-1906 was advance man with the Lewis James Company. Mr. and Mrs. Munro became the parents of two children, the only one living being Mrs. Malkim, who was educated in San Francisco. Mrs. Malkim is a member of Trinity Episcopal Church of San Francisco, in which city both Mr. and Mrs. Malkim are well known. He is a member of the Theatrical Me- chanical Association and is trustee of the organi- zation in San Francisco.

REV. HENRY WHITE JONES. The in- fluence which emanates from a life of self-sac- rificing devotion to the cause of the Christian re- ligion is beyond human calculation, but the 1ec- ords of Heaven will show multitudes of souls turned thitherward by the spoken and written words of one filled with the Spirit. Though he has passed from earth the memory of the noble life of Rev. Henry W. Jones will ever remain to refresh and encourage those who were brought under his influence during the long years of his ministry in the Congregational Church. Though by reason of his professional affiliations his time and thought were devoted largely to the upbuilding of his denomination, yet his mind was never tinged by narrowness of views. With a broad outlook upon mankind and the destiny of the human race, he aimed within the chosen sphere of religious and intel- lectual activity to make the world better for his presence therein. To him religion was a har- monious rounding of the soul, the perfect in- dwelling of the spirit of love and truth, the un- conscious imitation of Christ in daily acts and solitary thoughts. To such as he the ministry of the Gospel was a priceless privilege.

Among the sturdy band of Mayflower immi- grants who came to our shores in 1620 was one Elder White Jones, from whom Rev. Henry White Jones was descended in the eighth gen- eration. He was born in Southampton, Mass., October 17, 1830, the son of Bela B. and Sabina Jones, they also being natives of the Bay state. The father, who was by profession a practicing physician, removed from the east and estab- lished himself for practice in Hudson, Lenawee

county, Mich., where his death occurred. The mother was born in Whately, Mass.

As have so many of the brightest lights in both the business and professional realms of ac- tivity, Rev. H. W. Jones had to work out his own financial problem. He was given a fair start in the primary and public schools in both Southampton, Mass., and Hudson, Mich., but all of his later training was gained as the result of his own labors in the line of telegraphy. He is credited with the establishment of the first telegraph connection between Hudson, Mich., and Chicago and southern Illinois. When he had accumulated sufficient means to warrant him in again taking up his studies he entered Mon- son (Mass.) Academy as a student and gradu- ated from that institution in 1853. Subsequent- ly taking a course in Amherst College, he gradu- ated therefrom in 1857, and received his diploma from East Windsor Seminary (now Hartford Seminary ) in 1860. In the meantime, however, in 1858, he had received his license to preach by the Michigan Association, although it was not until two years afterward that he entered regu- larly into the duties for which he had been fit- ting himself. During the years from 1860 un- til 1866 he supplied the pulpit of the Congre- gational Church in Hadlyme, Conn., and there- after became associated with the Christian Com- mission board, from May 24, 1866, until June 4, 1871, serving in Hingham, Mass., from July 6, 1871, to June 17, 1874, in Swampscott, Mass., and from October 14, 1875, to October 8, 1885. in St. Johnsbury, Vt. With a record of over a quarter of a century of self sacrificing labor to his credit in the east he came to the Pacific coast in 1885, and from October 14 of that year until October 21, 1890, he filled the pulpit of the Con- gregational Church at Vacaville, Cal. From June, 1891, until July of 1893, he supplied pul- pits throughout Southern California without holding any regular charge, and thereafter, from September 10, 1893, until February 23, 1896, he ministered to the spiritual needs of the con- gregation in Claremont. From the latter date un- til his death, February 14, 1904, he lived re- tired from active work in the ministry, though at no time did his influence for good cease. His example of high and noble living will ever be a benediction to those who came under his influ- ence, and many there are who have cause to re- member his many helpful acts in time of need. Large-hearted generosity was one of his most dominant characteristics, which he exercised to no better advantage, perhaps, than in assisting struggling young men to gain their ecclesiastical training.

Rev. H. W. Jones was first married in Wind- ham, Conn., September 2, 1860, to Isabella Fan- ny Foster, the daughter of Sherlock and Abi-

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

gail Gay (Bradford) Foster. Mrs. Jones died in Hingham, Mass., in 1867, leaving one son, H. Foster Jones, who graduated from Amherst College and is now professor of English in Em- poria (Kans.) College. Mr. Jones' second mar- riage occurred in Grand Haven, Mich., Decem- ber 25, 1872, and united him with Hannah E. Ferry was a native of Granby, Mass. He grad- daughter of Rev. William M. and Amanda (White) Ferry, the latter a daughter of Thomas White. A remote ancestor, John White, was at one time lord mayor of London. William M. Ferry was a native of Granby, Masss. He grad- uated from Union College in New York and al- so from New Brunswick (N. J.) Seminary. His first ministerial work was among the Indians of Mackinac Island, from there in November, 1834, going to Grand Haven, Mich., where he served the congregation gratuitously until it was able to keep the pastor. In later years he engaged in the general merchandise and Jum- ber business there, and there he and his wife died at advanced ages. Mrs. Jones' brother, Thomas White Ferry, was at one time president of the United States senate. During his early life Mr. Jones was a supporter of Republican principles, but in his later years he became a Prohibitionist. A woman of fine intellectual at- tainments, and a great reader and student, Mrs. Jones was indeed a helpmate to her husband.

JOHN JOHNSTON. Prominent among the pioneer settlers of California is John Johnston, who came to the state soon after the discovery of gold and has since been a respected and valued citizen in the various communities in which he has been located in business. In common with other pioneers he has experienced all the ups and downs of life in a new coun- try and has watched with keen interest its transformation into one of the finest spots on the continent. For almost a quarter of a cen- tury he has made his home in Pomona, where at one time he conducted a large and lucrative hardware business, but is now retired from active business, finding his time sufficiently occupied in looking after the property which he has accumulated from time to time.

Mr. Johnston is of Irish birth and parentage, born in Comber, county Down, October 14, 1829, the youngest of four children born to his parents, George Washington and Sarah (Moore) Johnston, born in Lurgan, county Armagh. and Downpatrick, county Down, re- spectively, and both also were of Scotch de- scent. The father carried on a large distillery in Comber, and throughout his life remained in Ireland, as did also his wife, the latter passing away in Comber. The eldest of their four

children, George, came to the United States one year prior to the finding of gold in Cali- fornia, and when he finally came to the state, in 1852, he was not lured into the gold fields ; his tastes being rather in the channel of me- chanics, he became well known as an inventor, his name being perpetuated in what is known as Johnston's concentrator, an apparatus em- ployed in separating ore from the rock; he is now associated with the Risdon Iron Works in San Francisco. Peter Johnston also came to the United States in 1848, and like his brother George came to California in 1852; for a time he carried on a hardware business in Grass Valley, Nevada county, this state, was subse- quently president of the Nevada County Nar- row Gauge Railroad, but is now living retired in Grass Valley : the next child in the parental family, Eliza, still resides in the Emerald Isle.

The youngest child in his parents' family, John Johnston was given a good educa- tion in a private school in his native country, and when fifteen years old was apprenticed to learn the hardware and grocery business. It was with the knowledge of both of these sub- stantial trades that he set sail for the new world when he was twenty-one years of age, in 1850, going direct to Farmington, Van Buren county, Iowa, where both of his older brothers were located, and there the three were engaged in the grocery business for the follow- ing two years. With the proceeds of the sale of their stock they purchased horse teams and other essentials preparatory for a trip to the coast, and between Council Bluffs and Placer- ville, the journey consumed just eighty days. From Placerville George and John went to Marysville and under the firm name of John- ston Brothers started a grocery business under conditions which seemed very favorable, but the location did not prove as desirable as they had expected and in 1853 they removed their stock to Grass Valley. Disaster in the form of fire overtook them in that place and they lost all of their investment. After this misfor- tune John mined for two years, but at the end of that time once more resumed mercantile life and from 1856 until 1883 was engaged in the grocery business in Grass Valley. During his life in that place he was looked upon as one of the town's stalwart citizens, and was one of the promoters and builders of the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad. Upon dis- posing of his mercantile interests in Grass Val- ley in 1883 Mr. Johnston came to Pomona and established himself in the hardware business in a brick building which he erected for the pur- pose at the corner of Ellen and Second streets. Three years later, however, he disposed of his stock and thereafter spent one year in San

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Francisco, at the end of that time returning once more to Pomona, where he has since re- sided continuously. From time to time he has accumulated considerable property in Pomona, and aside from the store building which he erected for his own use as a hardware store in 1883, also erected two other stores on Second street, although he has since disposed of one of them. He has also built a number of resi- dences, and has also included in his landed pos- sessions a number of choice fruit ranches, his holdings now, however, comprising property in the city only.

In Grass Valley Mr. Johnston was married to Miss Annie Taylor, who though born in Ire- land was reared in Kentucky and in 1863 came to California by way of Panama. In his re- ligious training Mr. Johnston was reared in the faith of the Episcopal Church and throughout his life he has adhered to his early teachings. Politically he is a Republican, and at one time he was an active Mason, having joined the or- der in Grass Valley, but he is now demitted.

JOSE M. GONZALEZ. As a pioneer set- tler and one of the most prominent and influ- ential citizens of Temecula Jose M. Gonzalez has a wide and favorable acquaintance through- out Riverside and San Diego counties. He owns and occupies a sixty-acre ranch two miles north of Temecula, where he also rents land and is engaged in the raising of beef cattle. On De- cember 8, 1834, he was born in Cadiz, Spain, the son of J. M. and Candelaria (Pery) Gonzalez, both parents being natives of Spain. The father's death occurred in that country, but the mother came to the United States later and made her home in Nevada, where she died at the advanced age of ninety-two years.

The recipient of a good education in his na- tive country, Mr. Gonzalez remained there until 1868, when he came to the United States and located in California in the San Joaquin valley. In 1874 he removed to the place where he now resides and bought a part of an old grant upon which he built his present home-a modern adobe house. In 1884, when this part of River- side county was still embraced within the bound- aries of San Diego, Mr. Gonzalez was. appoint- ed deputy assessor and with the exception of one term has continuously filled that office until the present time. Politically he is a leading man in the Republican ranks and is now serving his county as deputy elerk. · Fraternally he is affili- ated with the Ancient Order of United Work- men.

By his marriage in Temecula in 1876, Mr. Gonzalez was united with Miss Grace Street, a native of the southern part of England, and of

this union two children were born: Ormiston is married and lives in Palms, Los Angeles coun- ty; and Isabell is the wife of A. B. Burnett, of this place.

ALEXANDER M. HAM. By reason of its location in the midst of a prosperous and dense- ly-populated region the city of San Bernardino offers excellent advantages for mercantile en- terprises. Among its merchants to whose en- ergy and sagacious judgment the commercial de- velopment of the place may be credited, mention belongs to Alexander M. Ham, for more than twenty years a progressive and influential busi- ness man of the city. Dating his residence here from November, 1882, he dates his identification with the grocery business from a period imme- diately following his settlement in the town. For a time he was associated with his brother, H. H., under the firm title of Hamn Brothers, but after several years in that connection he purchased his brother's interest, and has since carried on a large trade alone.

Prior to removing to Southern California Mr. Ham made his home in, Missouri, where he was born in Benton county, near Warsaw, September 19, 1848. The family is of southern lineage. His father, Harrison Howard Ham, was a na- tive of Kentucky, whence he removed to Mis- souri as early as 1818 and devoted his attention to transforming a tract of raw land into a culti- vated farm. For years he was successful as a farmer and his place was stocked with horses, cattle and mules of the best breeds. . Throughout the remainder of his life he continued interested in and identified with agricultural pursuits, and made his home on the farm which he had trans- formed from the primeval condition of nature. During early manhood he married Lucy Frances Parazetta, who was born in Virginia and at an early age, in 1818, removed to Missouri in com- pany with her parents, with whom she remained until her marriage. Eleven children were born of their union. Of these five sons and four daughters attained years of maturity. Of the sons, two are now living in Missouri, one in Kansas and two in California.

At an early age Alexander M. Ham became familiar with every detail of farm work and was instructed in the occupation, so that he was pre- pared for independent work. After having ac- quired a common school education, he left school when in his eighteenth year and thereafter as- sisted his father in the cultivation of the home farm. Subsequently he began independent op- erations in raising, buying and selling cattle and horses. On disposing of his interests in Mis- souri he came to California during the latter part of the year 1882 and settled in San Ber-

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

nardino, where since he has built up a large gro- cery business. In addition to owning the store of which he is proprietor, he owns a fruit farm of forty acres, ten of which are in oranges, while the balance is devoted to other products. He is also a stockholder and director in the San Ber- nardino County Savings Bank.

Stanch in his allegiance to the Republican party, Mr. Ham is recognized as one of the ac- tive local workers of that organization, and has done much to promote party success in the local- ity. For four years he served as a trustee of the city and in other ways he has proved himself in- terested in the welfare of the town, as well as a forceful contributor to its commercial develop- ment. When in his twenty-eighth year he mar- ried Lenora Parazetta, of Henry county, Mo., a daughter of Thomas Parazetta. Three children came to bless their union, namely: J. Garfield, who is now a student in the University of South- ern California ; Frances, at home : and Howard, now attending the Harvard School in Los An- geles.

ERNEST F. FELLOWS. The business in- terests of Long Beach have an enterprising representative in E. F. Fellows, who has been located in this city since December, 1902, en- gaged in the grocery business at No. 120-122 West Second street. Mr. Fellows is a native of Newark, Wayne county, N. Y., being the second in a family of two sons and one daugh- ter, of whom he is the only one now living. His father, Edgar B. Fellows, is also a native of the Empire state, where he is now making his home retired from the active cares of life. He is a very prominent man in Monroe coun- ty, having served for twelve or fifteen years as deputy sheriff. He is a veteran of the Civil war, having served over a year in the One Hundred and Fifteenth New York Volunteer Infantry. His wife, formerly Samantha A. Osborne, a native of Wayne county, N. Y., died in her native state.

E. F. Fellows received his education in the public schools of Monroe county, N. Y., where he was reared from early childhood, after which he attended the Brockport Normal and also took a commercial course in Oberlin, Ohio. Following his business training he engaged in the grocery business in Brockport in 1877 and continued successfully in that location for sixteen years. On account of his health he gave up his business and coming to California located in Pomona, where he purchased a fruit ranch of citrus and deciduous trees. Two years later he sold and entered the employ of the Chino Valley Beet Sugar Company in the capacity of bookkeeper, in which position he

continued for two years, when, in January, 1897. he came to Los Angeles and with a partner established a retail grocery business at the corner of Pico and Trenton streets. The new firm met with success in their enterprise and remained in that location for six years. In June, 1902, Mr. Fellows sold out his interests and in December of the same year came to Long Beach and purchased his present grocery business. located at No. 120-122 West Second street, where he has since built up an extensive and lucrative custom, enlarging his stock and in many ways improving the business. He has also taken an active interest in the real-estate development of Long Beach and has invested in several lots.

In Brockport. N. Y., Mr. Fellows was united in marriage with Jennie R. Hoyt, a native of that state, and they have one daughter, Maud, the wife of W. W. Martin of Pasadena. In his fraternal relations Mr. Fellows is a member of Long Beach Lodge No. 327, F. & A. M. Politi- cally he is a Republican and in religion belongs to the First Methodist Episcopal Church. At the organization of the Sons of Veterans in New York he was elected captain of Milo Stork Camp No. 30, elected to major at the state en- campment and the following year, 1888, elected colonel of the state division. taking a very act- ive interest in the organization.

BLAS OLIVARES. Another of the residents of Sherman who are descended from a long line of Spanish antecedents is Blas Olivares, who was born in Los Angeles county in 1850, this also being the birthplace of his father, Esmerorgildo Olivares, On the ranch which he ran for a number of years in this county his earth life came to a close in 1851, when his son Blas was still a child in arms. He was the only child born to his mother, who before her marriage was Cornelia Lopez.

At the age of nineteen years Blas Olivares formed domestic ties by his marriage with To- masa Toromio, and three children were the re- sult of this union, named in order of birth, as follows : Phillip, Teofilo and Cornelia. Some time after the death of his first wife Mr. Olivares was united with Delia Limares, who was also born in Los Angeles county, in 1875, she being the only child born to her mother, who in maiden- hood was Mary Morano. Michael Limares was also a native of the Golden state, and has known no other home. During his earlier years he ob- tained a grant of land from the Spanish govern- ment which became well known as the Limares rancho, and was located not far from Pomona. In addition to this property he also owned eight acres in Colegrove, but of late years he has dis-

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

posed of all of his property and is now making his home with Mr. Olivares, the subject of this sketch.

Mrs. Delia Olivares died in Colegrove in 1899, leaving two children, Susie and Blas, since which time Mr. Olivares has made his home in Sher- man, where he owns considerable valuable prop- erty.

ROBERT STRATHEARN. Preceded by nearly a quarter of a century as an architect and builder in the state of Montana, Mr. Strathearn came to Long Beach in 1905, and has already made a name and place for himself in his adopted city, regardless of his former accomplishments. A direct descendant of Scotch antecedents, he was born in Milwaukee, Wis., a son of William and Janet (Merrie) Strathearn, both natives of Ayrshire, Scotland. By trade William Strath- earn was a builder, having mastered it in his native country, and after coming to the new world added contracting, following this dual oc- cupation in Milwaukee, Wis., for many years. Not only in that city, but throughout Southern Wisconsin there are many fine specimens of his handiwork to be seen in large and valuable structures erected during his residence there. To himself and wife (the latter of whom died in Wisconsin) seven children were born, six of whom are living and have been trained to lives of usefulness.

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A history of California and an extended history of its southern coast counties, also containing biographies of well-known citizens of the past and present, Volume II, Part 120

Author: Guinn, James Miller, 1834-1918 Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Los Angeles, Cal., Historic record company Number of Pages: 1234

Author: Guinn, James Miller, 1834-1918
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Los Angeles, Cal., Historic record company
Number of Pages: 1234